“One of the biggest challenges we face is that we are a town that is set to grow enormously over the coming months and years,” explains the mayor of Esch-sur-Alzette Esch-sur-Alzette is one of around thirty communes that have already signed the Gemengepakt a municipal pact for intercultural living together This is an opportunity for mayor Christian Weis (CSV) to take stock of his term of office Ioanna Schimizzi: Your municipality signed the Gemengepakt a communal pact for intercultural living together Christian Weis (CSV): The communal pact for living together was introduced at national level by the law of 23 August 2023 The communes that sign them undertake to implement measures to ensure that “living together” for the different communities and nationalities in the commune improves all municipalities had to have an integration commission by law we’re talking about the living-together commission How many nationalities are present in Esch-sur-Alzette The city counts 38,000 inhabitants according to the latest census [Esch-sur-Alzette is the grand duchy’s second largest city by population It’s important that all communities and nationalities rub shoulders and interact Are you also noticing a new form of immigration a new population of foreign university researchers is arriving here so we can’t compare them with other periods like the immigration of the 1950s or 1990s The concept of living together is constantly changing and has different aspects we were one of the first municipalities in the country to launch a municipal integration plan vehicles for integration or living together because on a sports field or during a cultural activity there is no common language that you have to speak We also organise our own language courses and we have a language café What are the major challenges facing the municipality One of the biggest challenges we face is that we are a town that is set to grow enormously over the coming months and years Esch-sur-Alzette will have 50,000 inhabitants within 15 years; in 30-40 years an industrial wasteland between Esch-sur-Alzette and Schifflange [10,000 new inhabitants are expected and the Rout Lëns district [3,000 to 3,500 inhabitants New residents mean new infrastructure and all the services that go with it What about affordable housing in your area to acquire 340 of the 350 homes in the Rout Lëns project and integrate them into our rental stock one has to submit an application via our housing department and see if one is eligible or not What is the town’s rental stock at present We have around 300 affordable homes and we’re going to double that We have also launched the renovation of the old social housing that dates back to the beginning of the city of Esch You became mayor of the city in December 2023 it was a tradition in our house to listen to the radio together at lunchtime and discuss current political affairs I had an uncle who was also involved in politics and my parents had many friends from the various parties that’s what I wanted to do and it’s what I still enjoy doing today Then I did a master’s degree in political science in political consultancy because I always wanted to work in the domain You became mayor when you were 37 years old I would say that things happened in stages Today it’s a huge challenge and an honour to be the mayor of this town where I’ve lived all my life and which I know by heart it’s an exceptional opportunity to now be at the forefront Are you already thinking about the local elections in 2029 I think we have time to think about who will be the head of our party’s list and then it’s up to the party to decide when the time comes I hope that Georges [Mischo] does a good job as minister and that he is re-elected at the next general election so that he can join the government again And I hope to continue as mayor for as long as possible Do you find that your municipality sometimes has a negative image but I think it’s something that needs to be analysed over the long term there was industrial production and men and women of immigrant origin who worked there When the steel industry left our communities You also have to realise that for a long time companies like Arbed helped to develop towns and hospitals Their departure had an effect on the region and I think it takes time to reflect Integrating this logic--with the university of now being the city of science and research here in Luxembourg for example--can be difficult for people who have known Esch as the working-class city But it’s happening little by little and I think that the new opportunities that are opening up to us every day--like Belval or being --are a dynamic for relaunching the city whilst keeping our identity The National Mobility Plan 2035 also includes the intention for the tram to come all the way to Esch Work is progressing well in any case; we have regular meetings we have started preparatory work because the tram will not reach the city centre This article was written in for the  of Paperjam magazine The content is produced exclusively for the magazine It is published on the site to contribute to the full Paperjam archive You can request a subscription in your name and a street plan was actually put in place by the famous German urbanist for both the new districts and to embellish the city centre or traded to the workers in the steel and iron industry of the area telling a story of their ancestry or their beliefs You can stroll down the streets of Esch and marvel at the wonderful windows – many adorned and embellished or incorporating trefoil (clover-shaped) windows wrought iron balconies and marvellous statues of Mercury – the Roman god of commerce and industry Often you may find different styles of architecture on the façades of buildings on the same street in Esch recalls the neo-gothic and neo-baroque styles very much in fashion from the 1850s to the 1920s contrasting with the former aggrandised building facades by using clean and bold geometrical lines and shapes Across both eras until the end of the 20th century the city’s architecture also celebrates the Art Nouveau style with foliage and natural curvy lines Much of the carved or enamel artwork on Esch’s brick and stone buildings had great symbolism Strength – a popular theme amongst steel merchants Esch was granted the title of city in 1287 by Henry IV which was finally dismantled in 1671 when it also lost city status In 1838 iron ore was discovered in the surrounding region and the town grew from a population of just over 1,000 to one of 30,000 by 1930 In 1906 Esch regained its official city status and the wonderful Art Nouveau and Art Deco houses on display today were mostly built over the next few years and decades The street with the greatest number of facades with elegant windows is the pedestrianised Rue d’Alzette start at the town hall which was built in the 1930s by Isidore Engler architect to the city and responsible also for designing the hospital renovating the slaughterhouse (now Kulturfabrik) in the 1920s Engler used several local sculptors to adorn this public building you can see the crest of Esch carried by a miner on the left and a steelworker on the right Bas reliefs between the windows on the first and second floors represent industry The building also has huge stained glass windows which front the internal staircase Nearby the old Sichel store was built between 1909 and 1924 The façade is decorated with fruit garlands and shows a miner with his pick and a smithy in his forge displaying peacocks on both sides of the second floor balcony together with motifs of sunflowers and chestnut leaves the picture window is decorated with bas reliefs inspired by nature The house belonged to a shoemaker and a chemist and you can see a young girl tying her sandals on the left and a young man next to a snake The staff with snake belonged to the Roman god of medicine At No 61 the enamelled brick façade mixed with carved stone reflects the light The Art Nouveau decorations are again inspired by nature and include a rose window which appears to the eye to be covered with plants Neo-gothic architecture is used for No 65 and No 67 the apartment block has yellow brick and the first floor windows are decorated by clover trefoil windows The latter has a white brick façade and the windows No 90 is a red brick corner house built in 1915 by builder Chilot and incorporates both gothic and renaissance finishes whilst the façade on the Rue de X Septembre has windows decorated with masks of human faces no 96 has a large window flanked by two female heads with long flowing hair Three apartments share the same façade (No 199-123) with a balcony held up by owls The entrance has a fantasy creature with horns leaning on a basket balcony and under the window of the second floor there is another creature with two fish in its mouth Between the second and third floors is a goat surrounded by garlands Continue your architectural tour on Rue Zénon Bernard The youth centre at No 65 was originally built in 1907 Formerly the residence of architect Olivio Moise it has so much detail you need a few moments to take it all in There is the head of Zeus surrounded by oak leaves windows with beautiful wrought iron balconies The arch windows are adorned by horns of plenty whilst the iron gate conjures up the image of a flower festooned with horse chestnut casings Olivio had originally installed busts of Mercury Venus and Dante as a reminder that humans should not try to rival the gods but these were unfortunately stolen when the house was unoccupied the corner house has a balcony decorated with flowers squirrels and ducks and another stylised with a gazelle and flower motifs As with so many houses and apartments in Esch the architects invite you to look upwards to the top floors (this building is four storeys high) you can check out the Art Deco gates of the town library on Rue Emile Mayrisch which was also the house of another architect was designed to illustrate the prosperity the students of the school would achieve in their later professional life The central window on the second floor is decorated with Mercury’s head You can take a self-guided walking tour of the great facades, windows, and architecture of Esch-sur-Alzette, using this brochure also available at the tourist office in English Esch-sur-Alzette was a European Capital of Culture in 2022. Venice BiennaleAt Biennale Architettura, Luxembourg entry is a sight to be heard‘Sonic Investigations’ invites visitors to this year’s Venice exhibition to perceive architecture with their ears Architectural icon This family-friendly visitor centre blends architecture with natureShaped like an upturned ship's hull and built entirely from wood, the Biodiversum in Haff Réimich is worth a visit year-round Notable buildings Architectural icon: Baroque abbey or central rail station?You may have passed through it or possibly discussed it for the Sproochentest, but have you ever stopped to admire this Baroque building? Home decor ideasHomeowners splash cash on quirky home gadgets and latest trendsBuilt-in coffee machines, TV projectors and H-shaped beds are some of the latest must-have home interior trends ModernArchitectural Icon: Valentiny FoundationA unique curved façade made of Schengen plaster honours Luxembourg’s greatest modern architect Architectural Icon The many faces of Neimënster Abbey It started life as a Benedictine abbey in the artisan district, but was used as a hospital, army barracks and a prison, before becoming a cultural centre HeritageHeritage surprise delays prestige hotel projectUnexpected discoveries of “great heritage value” have pushed renovation of Post building back to end of next year Advertiser contentTreat yourself to a stress-free holidayDreaming of a worry-free trip What if the secret to a smooth getaway was simply good preparation and the right protection Advertiser contentReal estate: Why should you take advantage of the start of 2025 to begin your real estate project?The main things we remember about the housing sector over the past 12 months are the rise in interest rates and the fall in property prices Advertiser contentProperty: I've decided to invest!The various forms of government support for investment Advertiser contentThe Luxembourg Times BusinessRun is happening again on 18th September!On Thursday 18th September with the starting gun of the 11th Luxembourg Times BusinessRun fired at the Coque at 7 pm Share this with instagramShare this with facebookShare this with linkedinSections Urban Agency, in partnership with COBE won in 2019 a competition to transform a former steel factory into an 850,000 square meters car-free mixed-use district The industrial site is planned to become a mixed-use district The master plan strategies focus on urban nature and an adapted dense mix of buildings and functions Courtesy of Urban Agency | COBE | LuxPlan |Urban CreatorsHeritage and transformation are central to the overall design. Along the Metzeschmelz master plan, more than twenty buildings and structures are identified as having cultural value and have been preserved to various degrees and integrated within the district. The site's cultural heritage and historical narrative remain, while contemporary programs infuse the old buildings with new life accessible to the public. the project is inspired by nature and the surrounding docklands to conserve and expose the mill's industrial architecture language and use more sustainable materials like CLT You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email your new go-to podcast to spice up your weekday mornings with relevant news and behind-the-scenes from Brussels and beyond From the economy to the climate and the EU's role in world affairs this talk show sheds light on European affairs and the issues that impact on our daily lives as Europeans Tune in to understand the ins and outs of European politics Dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries Deep dive conversations with business leaders Euronews Tech Talks goes beyond discussions to explore the impact of new technologies on our lives the podcast provides valuable insights into the intersection of technology and society Europe's water is under increasing pressure floods are taking their toll on our drinking water Join us on a journey around Europe to see why protecting ecosystems matters and to discover some of the best water solutions an animated explainer series and live debate - find out why Water Matters We give you the latest climate facts from the world’s leading source analyse the trends and explain how our planet is changing We meet the experts on the front line of climate change who explore new strategies to mitigate and adapt With its capacity for urban regeneration and breathing new life into a city’s cultural sphere, the European Capital of Culture is an award with genuine image-changing potential Esch-sur-Alzette was once at the heart of Luxembourg’s booming steel industry in the iron-ore rich south Named Europe's Capital of Culture for 2022 the town has now welcomed €54m of investment to become a beacon of culture in a small country better known for finance than art Sharing the Capital of Culture 2022 title with Kaunas in Lithuania and Novi Sad in Serbia, Esch 2022 is putting together a programme next year of over 2000 events that will include 310 performances 141 concerts and 360 participatory workshops Luxembourg’s multicultural demographics and unique linguistic mix mean that events will be taking place across Esch in German as well as a small number in Spanish and Portuguese But how did it go from industrial heartland to cultural capital While the driverless electric shuttle buses silently rolling back and forth up Esch’s rue de l'Alzette demonstrate its forward-thinking attitude the hulking blast furnaces rising from the town’s nearby Belval neighbourhood are a stark and constant reminder of what this region was built on the iron ore found in the southern regions of Luxembourg belongs to one of the biggest ore depots in Europe Luxembourg was the sixth largest cast iron producer in the world and the eighth largest producer of steel From the open-cast mines and transport railways of the Minett region to the smoking factories of Belval Esch-sur-Alzette was a thriving centre of industry in the heart of Europe that exported its products across the globe this crucial industry in Luxembourg had begun an irreversible decline The last mine at Fond-de-Gras in the Minett had already closed in 1964 the world steel market collapsed due to over-production With the closure of Belval’s last blast furnace in July 1997 the former steel production site became a wasteland the blueprint for the cultural rejuvenation of the area had already been laid down with the Fonds Belval state funding project the bid for the European Capital of Culture would begin Established cultural behemoths like Paris and Berlin were among the winners during the award’s early years following its inception in 1985 but since the turn of the century the Capital of Culture has been awarded to far less-heralded destinations But what makes Esch-sur-Alzette’s bid unique is that it’s a cross-border collaboration with 8 municipalities in rural northeastern France’s Communauté de Communes Pays Haut Val l’Alzette (CCPHVA) With a faded industrial past similar to its Luxembourgish counterparts this forgotten region of France will benefit greatly from the award “The common industrial history of this part of Luxembourg and France is a strong link between the areas as the immigration over the decades has made this region a cultural melting pot,” explains Nancy Braun “The different influences allow the border region to offer a unique cultural experience Our vision for Esch 2022 is closely linked to the overarching European idea We want to encourage the “Minett” region to be more united by making the whole mining area more aware of its unique European identity and the extent of its own possibilities.” But while the French region is relatively unknown the team behind the bid are painfully aware of Luxembourg’s unflattering image as an international financial centre and a tax haven for the rich which makes showcasing Esch’s cultural evolution ever more important Perhaps no other venue in Esch epitomises that drive than Kulturfabrik a former slaughterhouse that was turned into an artistic squat in the 1980s before becoming a non-profit cultural centre at the turn of the millennium the venue is a weekly cocktail of concerts Kulturfabrik is just one of many venues hoping to leave a lasting cultural mark in 2022 With over 2000 events and exhibitions to choose from it might be difficult to know where to begin so here’s a few to consider Urban Art Esch is a street art project featuring local and international artists and there are around 50 works to explore around the town with walking and cycling tours starting from Kulturfabrik Telling the human story of Luxembourg’s Nazi occupation during WWII, the National Museum of Resistance and Human Rights has been a cornerstone of cultural life in Esch and when the museum reopens in February 2022 following renovations Based on the juxtaposition of two artists from different eras Who Seeks Peace will focus on the work of the artists Frans Masreel (1889-1972) and Hamid Sulaiman and will explore oppression Posing fundamental questions about how identity is constructed and lost Ego-Tunnel is the first solo exhibition from German artist Gregor Schneider and is hosted by Konschthal Esch Over in Belval, the two remaining blast furnaces (there were six originally) are now surrounded by the modern creative architecture of La Cité des Sciences and the industrial remains are accessible to the public and are used for regular cultural events, including the Blast Furnace Festival. And across the border in France, cultural centre L’Arche in Micheville will open in 2022 and will be a hub for live performance and digital art Hoping to ensure a visible and long-lasting legacy €28m worth of infrastructural investment in building and renovation has been made available for Esch and the surrounding region in view of 2022 and beyond With the ongoing development of Belval and the new nature trails in Minett offering a sustainable future Esch will have a solid foundation to build on with culture at its heart “The concept of culture does not refer exclusively to art nor does it necessarily take on conventional sometimes elitist forms that many people associate with the term,” says Françoise Poos “Culture is what we live and breathe every day A little background...The name “Asch” first appears in records in 1128 the first Count of Luxembourg and King of Bohemia from 1296 to 1346) conferred the status of Free City on Esch Its location made it the target for invasion and attack and in 1677 the city’s fortifications were destroyed by Louis XIV but by 1841 it had been granted Grand Ducal status as a canton For a long time it was still considered a farming town but in the 1880s iron ore was discovered and the mining and steel production population grew the city exponentially It went from a population of just over 1,000 in 1827 to having one close to 30,000 by 1930 the steel industry of the area produced 6.4 million tonnes per year and employed 29,000 people Today only 4,000 are employed in the industry producing 2.3 tonnes made from recycled scrap the last mines closed in the 1980s and the works at Belval finished operating in 1997 Today they are home to the University of Luxembourg several research facilities (with some 1,500 people working in research) and the national archives Esch-sur-Alzette has been and is home to many notable Luxembourgers an abstract painter and former director-general of RTL It was also home to author and playwright Nico Helminger and numerous sports people who competed in the Olympics Perhaps the most famous is footballer-turned-politician Emile Hamilius It’s also produced an archbishop of Luxembourg (Fernand Franck) and a Prime Minister (Victor Thon) as well as a European Court Judge (François Biltgen) and more recently Property prices in the second city are less expensive than in the capital if you’re looking for some nightlife without the residential price tag. According to Wort Immo the current price per square metre of real estate in the area is: For groceries, there’s a Delhaize supermarket and Proxy, plus an Aldi in Belval. In town you’ll find a Cactus, Carrefour Express and another Delhaize Proxy, plus Epicerie Rita Ines at 7 rue de Neudorf Further out of town you’ll find a Smatch at 60 rue d'Ehlerange and another Cactus supermarket close to KulturFabrik on Rue de Luxembourg You can pick up speciality Asian foodstuff at Asie Express at 371 Route de Belval, and organic produce at Naturata on the same road at No 70. Victus Sabotic Shopping offers Balkan foods at rue Romain Fandel Furniture stores include Smets and CASA, and clothes shops include Cop Copine, Esprit, men’s clothing at White House, and Promod. WeltButtek sells a variety of gifts There are too many shops to mention in this article so it’s best to take a stroll along rue de L’Alzette the longest pedestrian shopping street in Luxembourg The Belval Plaza shopping centre has jewellery shops plus Snooze for burgers and Urban for an after-work drink The University of Luxembourg has a campus at Belval If you want to learn a language you can do so with the city commune at a number of school sites It costs €150 to enrol in a year’s course in Luxembourgish Classes start at A1.1 level and progress to B1 level If you want to practise your language skills then language cafes with conversation tables are organised by the Esch Adminitration Esch-sur-Alzette can be reached by the A4 and A13 motorways It has three railway stations on line 60 – Belval Redange The 306 connects Esch to Cloche d'Or and Trier The city runs a Flexibus for residents in the Neiduerf and Park districts which collects you from home and drives to the station Monday to Saturday from 6.30 until 23.00 Reservations must be made no later than 30 minutes before your departure on 8002 20 20 The Gaalgebus runs from the city to the green area of Gaalgebierg free of charge It can carry up to 8 passengers and is wheelchair accessible The Sport-a-Kulturbus is aimed at young people and members of a sports or cultural association in Esch who wish to go to their training or lessons by bus It operates Monday to Friday taking a 40 minute loop from 16.00 to 22.00 on Monday Wednesday and Friday and starting earlier at 14.00 on Tuesday and Thursday There are several Vël’ok bicycle stations around the city and neighbouring municipalities. You can find a map of stations plus details on how to join the system here Up in the beautiful forested Gaalgebierg area, you’ll find plenty of walks plus the wonderful Escher Déierepark covering two hectares and home to about 150 animals from 25 different species You can feed some of the animals with fodder provided at the visitor centre free of charge plus cute little treehouses which you can rent out for overnight stays The municipal park Gaalgebierg is reached by footbridge from the city, and includes flower gardens, forest trails, a popular pétanque area near the café and playground The playground has some unusual equipment including a tyre spinner The name “Gaalgebierg” means Hill of the Gallows The head of the locality (when Luxembourg was ruled by King Charles II of Spain) erected the first gallows on the hill in 1676 and promptly sentenced the first Esch citizen to be beheaded and hung by his feet sits on the edge of the nature reserve of the same name Housed in the buildings of the former Cockerill Mine it’s the starting point for several discovery trails and offers various activities for children The centre includes an exhibition on the natural and historic heritage of the region You can take bus line TICE 12 from town to reach the reserve which covers 110 hectares in a former open-pit mining area The land has been reclaimed by nature and has rare and rich habitats including calcareous beech forests This box contains embedded content from YouTube that wants to read or write cookies A cycle-pedestrian bridge, the longest cycle bridge in Europe, links Esch-sur-Alzette to the Esch-Belval cycle path, a total of 1.2km long, it includes two rest areas, and connects by stairs/a lift, at Avenue due Rock 'n' Roll. It opened at the end of 2022. You’ll find a fantastic skate park covering 1,700m² with ramps and other challenges between Bergem and Schifflange You’re in the footballing heartland of Luxembourg which is a popular spectator as well as player sport There are two main clubs CS Fola Esch (founded 1906 grounds at Stade Emile Mayrisch) and Jeunesse Esch (founded 1907 Esch also hosted stages of the Tour de France in 2006 and 2017 Escher Schwemm is the public swimming pool located near Parc Laval It was modernised and enlarged in 2003 and has three pools and surrounding the baths is a recreational area with benches The complex incorporates an open-air pool and the Club 5 restaurant you’ll find Parc du Domaine Schlassgoard near the city’s central square on rue Helen Buchholtz and on the borders with Mondercange is the Lankelz forest The city runs a number of programmes for teens from capoeira and yoga to parcour and basketball, as well as water aerobics and Nordic walking and several other fitness classes for the over 60s You will not be at a loss for something to do in Esch, which last year was the European Capital of Culture and has a strong and vibrant cultural scene. It's also home to the annual LGBTIQ+ Pride Week which celebrates with a parade and a programme of events in July Théâtre d’Esch has a comprehensive programme of music and theatre including events for young audiences It hosts international touring theatre groups and comedians On the second floor of the building you’ll find art exhibitions Other art galleries in Esch-sur-Alzette include Kammelbuttek and Galerie Schlassgoart Installed in an old slaughterhouse, Kulturfabrik is a creative hub which hosts exhibitions and live acts in its 4,500m² concert hall. It also has a cinema, bistro, rehearsal space for musicians and studio space for artists. You can view its agenda here and read more about the street art there and around Luxembourg in the article below. You can find a list of cultural associations and community clubs here There are three cinemas in Esch – the Ariston, the Kinosch and the Kinepolis Belval. The Muncipal Library is one of the oldest in Luxembourg and has a selection of 60,000 books and media You can borrow up to 5 books and 3 CDs/DVDs for 4 weeks The Place de la Résistance, also known as "Brillplaz” is home to the National Museum of the Resistance and human rights. The square contains sculptures by Kamel Louafi. The museum (and war memorial) honours the victims of Nazism It traces the history of Luxembourg between 1940 and 1945 through the reactions of the people from passive resistance It also records the fate of the Jewish community of Luxembourg The town hall square dates back to the 19th century In 2005 redevelopment work modernised the city centre and with it created a great space for flea markets and festivals Clear on three sides with a fountain marking the start of rue de l’Alzette and four cast iron plaques as a nod to Esch-sur-Alzette’s steel industry past The Cockerill Mine museum is the only Luxembourg mine with a well Exploited by the Collart brothers from 1881 to 1943 archive photos and even some fossils found during extraction work The museum is open Monday to Friday 8.00 to 12.00 and 13.00 to 17.00 and 8.00 to 12.00 on Saturday and Sunday The miniature Lankelz train runs over 1,350 km network with stations, bridges and tunnels. It runs from May to October on Sunday afternoons and you can find more details here Esch-sur-Alzette has no shortage of restaurants serving up different cuisine It would be impossible to mention them all in this article so we’ve picked a few of the ones that come highly recommended For Italian, try Como, which has risotto, pasta, fish and meat dishes on the menu and some value-for-money fixed menus for two. Moustache offers Luxembourgish It would be hard not to find something you like Esch-sur-Alzette and Belval also have plenty of bars if nightlife is more your vibe City living In the neighbourhood: Merl Merl is home to polo clubs, a comic and manga store and the Luxembourg Conservatory Architectural iconsTour: a blast from the past at Belval’s restored furnacesDiscover the giant blast furnaces on Belval’s skyline that pay tribute to Luxembourg’s industrial heritage City quarters In the neighbourhood: BeggenBeggen may appear to be just a traffic-filled thoroughfare with petrol stations, but it's the place to pick up Asian spices or catch some live music Rejuvenation In the neighbourhood: GasperichThis tiny city neighbourhood is just 4km squared but is home to some 10,200 residents and the capital’s largest park ResidentialIn the neighbourhood: WalferdangeRoman ruins, a great selection of shops and restaurants, forest walks and connection by rail and bus make Walferdange a popular residential neighbourhood Well-connectedIn the neighbourhood: Niederanven & SenningerbergIn this edition of our neighbourhood series, we head to Niederanven, with its Italian restaurant terraces and orchid-growing nature reserve West LuxembourgIn the neighbourhood: Kehlen The idyllic rural villages of Kehlen commune combine a commuter base with a pottery and distilling past, and some great walks and restaurants Grevenmacher districtIn the neighbourhood: JunglinsterHome to an international school and well-connected to the city, Junglinster is the largest municipality in the east of the country People movesClifford Chance appoints nine senior associates in LuxembourgThe global law firm, which has been established in Luxembourg since 2000, now has close to 200 staff in the Grand Duchy Deutsche BankPremiumLuxembourg bank CEO outlines optimistic growth plansDeutsche Bank Luxembourg faces economic “headwinds” but is counting on European “tailwinds” to expand its business Green transitionOver 8,600 solar panel subsidy requests pending in LuxembourgEnvironment administration hiring staff and training workers to cut down delays HealthcareLuxembourg to offer new homegrown midwifery qualificationUniversity of Luxembourg is launching four-year degree to train more midwives State financesLuxembourg recorded budget surplus in Q1Gilles Roth presented state of national economy report to parliament’s finance committees on Tuesday PoliticsHow much do Luxembourg ministers really earn?In addition to basic salary, ministers are entitled to monthly allowances of up to €8,000 and end-of-year bonuses EvacuationWeapon used in Kirchberg scare was fakeMan armed with fake gun caused commotion at bank branch on Monday Schengen AreaLuxembourg hopes for dialogue with Germany over border checksTens of thousands of people commute to work in Luxembourg every day According to Sichel’s social networking site “the challenges we have faced in recent years have had a considerable impact on our business.” As a result “despite all our efforts and the investment of the entire team we were ultimately unable to overcome the difficulties to ensure the company’s continued existence.” This box contains embedded content from Facebook that wants to read or write cookies the announcement on Facebook was not its first version omits a number of details that appeared in the first version published at 8am including the announcement that “Sichel SA was declared bankrupt on 22 April 2024 [sic] and will definitively close its two sales outlets in Esch-sur-Alzette (Sichel Home) and Bertrange (Sichel Loft).” The first draft also states that “this decision will have a direct impact on our 18 current employees for whom we have set up a support programme and who also benefit from the support of Adem’s services.” The company later on Wednesday confirmed its bankruptcy According to a timeline published on the Sichel website when the Gillain brothers opened a hardware store in Esch-sur-Alzette which was subsequently taken over by Julius Sichel’s company then by Gaston Schwertzer and José Legan in 1975 Marc Schwertzer and his wife Michèle took over the shop the hardware department was abandoned in favour of a new tableware Two outlets followed: in 1994 at the City Concorde shopping centre and in 1997 at the Belle-Étoile Sichel Home’s head office opened in Howald the company was taken over by Stéphane Deitz and Emile Kieffer They closed the shop at Belle-Etoile and opened a second one at City Concorde Sichel announced its return to Esch-sur-Alzette Only six months before the closure announced on Wednesday (This article was originally published by Virgule Start your day with the top headlines shaping Luxembourg René BenkoCourt rejects bid for release by Luxembourg-linked property tycoonRené Benko is to spend another two months in custody after his request to be released from pre-trial detention was refused by Austrian court ExclusivePremiumBankrupt Liberty Steel owes €12m in Luxembourg-backed loanTaxpayers secured more than €10 million of borrowed amount Business confidenceLuxembourg struggles with failing businesses but moving in right directionInternational report shows Grand Duchy bankruptcy problem cooling, despite likely 1,250 failures this year BankruptcyLuxembourg jobs at risk as interior design firm Casa files for bankruptcy Firm filed for bankruptcy at Belgian court on Wednesday, raising question marks over future of eight stores and 26 employees in Grand Duchy Signa bankruptcyLuxembourg-linked Benko sells stake in New York’s Chrysler BuildingRene Benko’s Signa Group slumped into insolvency in 2023 René BenkoLuxembourg-linked property tycoon to spend further two months in custodyPre-trial detention of René Benko, whose Signa Group had several links to Luxembourg, extended by Austrian court Savings and insuranceLuxembourg life insurance company forced into liquidationA blow for tens of thousands of French and Italian savers, who could face long delays getting their money back ShareMayors from towns in the south of Luxembourg have said they are satisfied with progress to date on the high-speed tram project connecting Luxembourg City and Esch-sur-Alzette. Second career on the river Premium‘Over the moon’: How a female captain saved the Moselle ferry Skipper Andrea Greif steers the Moselle ferry through difficult times and her courage is paying off MotoringThis is when new shops will open at Berchem service stationsNew brands will take the place of McDonald’s and Starbucks, closed since Sunday, at Q8 service stations Zero emissions transportPremiumLuxembourg haulage company sees all-electric trucks as short-distance alternativeLorang’s managing director explains the challenges of replacing diesel trucks with zero-emission vehicles Sécurité RoutièreBackes makes appeal to save traffic safety organisationTransport Minister Yuriko Backes wants new backers for road safety campaign group to step forward SecurityGovernment prepares bill to ban begging, loud music on public transportIncreased video surveillance and fines for obnoxious behaviour, begging and failure to control pets are featured in the draft law New mobilitySelf-driving buses expected to launch in Belval within weeksBus will drive autonomously but Luxembourg laws dictate that a driver must always be on board to be able to intervene in the event of an incident Future in doubtPremiumRoad safety association loses ‘essential’ fundingLuxembourg Association of Insurance and Reinsurance Companies will cease providing Sécurité Routière with annual stipend of €275,000 in 2026 Retired trainsPremiumAfter decades of service, Z2 railcars are on their way out CFL has begun phasing out its 2000 series trains, with four already rolling to new owner to Romania was found seriously injured in a flat in Esch-sur-Alzette Despite a rapid emergency services response the man succumbed to his injuries shortly afterwards in hospital The ongoing investigation quickly came to focus on two minors the public prosecutor’s office confirmed on Friday The suspects are the victim’s son and stepson - both of whom were apprehended on the run A 16-year-old boy was arrested by special forces on 1 January and a 15-year-old boy was detained the following day An investigating judge in the case has now charged the pair with murder and manslaughter the case was transferred to a juvenile court judge and a psychiatric assessment has been ordered for the 16-year-old the juvenile court judge ordered provisional placement of the 16-year-old in the adult section at Schrassig prison His 15-year-old stepbrother was placed in Unisec The older of the alleged perpetrators will face trial under adult criminal law - and thus a potential life sentence juveniles aged 16 and over can be tried before a criminal court or criminal chamber with the consent of a juvenile court judge who has issued a reasoned judgement the public prosecutor’s office refers to the ongoing investigation and the Youth Protection Act emphasising that the presumption of innocence applies (This story was originally published by Luxemburger Wort. Translation and editing by Alex Stevensson) Contraband investigationFrench police make Luxembourg tobacco smuggling bustGendarmes in the French department of Calvados have broken up a Luxembourg tobacco smuggling ring Gun attackBusiness owner wants to know who fired shots at her café, and whyEuropa 1 café in Differdange is back to normal after April incident, but motives behind shooting still unknown In courtCourt upholds suspended sentence for footballer Gerson RodriguesAppeals court finds Luxembourg professional footballer guilty of domestic violence and assault Financial scandalSpuerkeess CEO evasive on Caritas scandal in radio interviewFrançoise Thoma, CEO of Spuerkeess, said the bank’s internal investigation into the Caritas fraud case has been completed, but provided few details CybercrimeHackers manipulate markets in €600 million illicit trading spreeCyber-crooks are targeting Japanese online brokerage accounts Holiday homesSeveral consumer protection complaints about Airbnb fraudLuxembourg police do not compile holiday home fraud data, but cases have been reported and caution is advised FintechLuxembourg company recognised as leading fight against financial crimeLuxembourg company Cascade among top 50 tech innovators in the fight against fraud and laundering Social support servicesLuxembourg opens new help centre for victims of violenceFor the first time, Luxembourg will have a central contact point for victims of all forms of violence the office said in a statement on Wednesday Both teachers and students at the Lycée Hubert Clément The latest inquiries stem from an investigation that began in November 2024 over suspicions of “conduites répréhensibles à connotation sexuelle” (sexually connotated criminal acts) that allegedly occurred within a theatre group at the school said that the investigation remains ongoing It did not share any details about the findings or a timeline for when more information would become available the Education Ministry confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that school officials became aware of a witness statement in late October 2024 which reported inappropriate behaviour during a theatre group activity The school administration then informed the public prosecutor’s office before taking the decision to suspend all theatre group activities while the investigation remains ongoing Innovation and educationLuxembourg opens drone school to boost safetyEducation ministry has launched a civilian drone school, where pilots can hone their skills and share ideas InnovationLuxembourg support app for neurodivergent children wins global awardBeating out 900 other hopefuls, Dalza named Global Champion for Learning & Education at World Summit Awards EducationViolent assault a ‘one-off incident’ says school after bullying reportsVideos circulated online show pupil at Lycée Bel-Val being slapped and dragged along the floor by classmates HobbyMaster the art of photography at these classesSpring is the perfect time to get out your camera. If you need to get up to shutter speed with your technique, try out these photography classes held in Luxembourg or the Light Leaks Festival Working in LuxembourgLuxembourg turns to influencers to promote vocational jobsMinistry of Education’s newest campaign is called “Shape Your Future – Däi Wee” Expert adviceHow to cope during exam seasonAdvice for students and parents on creating the right study environment, and what to do if you panic in an test or if the first exam goes badly Job marketFewer than 5% of Luxembourg workers overqualified Low rate linked to availability of high-skilled jobs in the Grand Duchy with blue skies serenading the Escher carnival After the parades in Diekirch and Schifflange Minett city Esch hosted its own last Sunday The carnival tradition enchants people in Southern Luxembourg and that enchantment seems to grow every year Children and adults alike participated on Sunday 16 March Esch had transformed into the city of fancy dress states Pedro Oliveira from the tourist office in Esch "we had a beautiful program extended over four days Today marks its ending with the 24th cavalcade" The carnival parade attracts 20,000 to 30,000 people each year the number of active participants has also increased "We have always had around 60 participants From confetti to extravagant costumes and Americans distributing candy instead of tax increases Esch is part of the six major carnival parades in Luxembourg and Remich are still on the agenda for the end of the month So there are at least three more occasions to celebrate this winter 24. Kavalkad zu Esch (16.3.25) Finally dry and settled, a glass of Barcelona cava and a slightly sweet Hugo in hand, we studied the menu, with the recommendation by the waitress to order three to four plates per person. We came with big appetites and had to order two rounds of the small dishes to finally feel full, burning something of a hole in our pockets. The bao burger - a slider using a bao bun instead of the usual hamburger roll - was juicy but lacked flavour and comes in at €11. A handful of fried cauliflower (served cold, apparently on purpose - we did ask) costs €8. Overall, the food was good but underwhelming and little bland. The chorizo in the so-called hot dog (€9) was spicy and the best part about the dish. The dough twisted around it like bread on a stick was dry and the mustard sauce too mild to compete with the sausage. The tarte flambée (€12) with a type of cured Spanish sausage, too, was stale. The croquettes (€7 per serving) - a staple of Spanish tapas - were a welcome addition in terms of flavour (we chose tomato and mozzarella, and Iberico ham) but were served lukewarm when this is food that you expect to be piping hot. The dessert croquettes of deep-fried chocolate (€5) were an interesting surprise, the thin layer of crispy tempura adding crunch to the gooey chocolate centre. The crema catalana (€8) resembled a mousse more than the thick custard the dish is known for, with the caramelised sugar on top lacking the signature crisp when you dive in your spoon. Another interesting option on the menu was the goat cheese cheesecake for dessert, which my friend enjoyed. Leaving with a bill of €133 for tapas-style dishes feels exaggeratedly expensive. With wine or more drinks, the bill would have been even higher. Overall, I think I simply expected more from the kitchen of one of Luxembourg’s finer dining locations. Fevi Street’s big brother - Bosque Fevi led by Catalonian chef Fernando Andreu - has a place on the famous Gault & Millau list. It is cosy enough - with dim and red-hued lighting, hardwood tables and a sofa corner - but we couldn’t help but feel abandoned. While our waitress was very friendly, she was also absent for long periods of time - presumably serving guests in the more upmarket Bosque - with no way for us to get anyone’s attention. Perhaps we caught them on a slow day, but while I’m happy to have gone to try something different in a corner of the country not normally on my radar, I won’t be rushing back. Tuesday to Saturday 12:00 to 14:00 and 19:00 to 21:30 (closed on Sundays and Mondays) Michelin GuidePremiumDream come true for Luxembourg’s Michelin-starred chefsRené Mathieu, Louis Linster, Clovis Degrave and Archibald de Prince on their fear of the pressure to achieve perfection and their expectations for the future Table Talk‘Buddik BanLieue’: where street food meets haute cuisine in TrierAnyone feeling peckish on their next shopping trip through Trier should make a detour to this not-so-secret insider tip InterviewLéa Linster celebrates 70 with a bouncy castle and close friendsLuxembourg’s grande dame of haute cuisine celebrated her milestone birthday on 27 April GastronomyMichelin Guide dishes out new stars to Luxembourg chefsA new two-star restaurant, two chefs awarded for the first time and René Mathieu's new project crowned AlfrescoRooftop terraces Want a drink with a view? Here’s a list of bars with rooftop terraces or an elevated aspect for a bird's eye view of Luxembourg Table TalkBo Zai Fan brings a warm, cosy touch to Chinese cuisineA Limpertsberg favourite for clay pot rice and unforgettable dumplings Light bites Taste Spanish tapas on these terraces in LuxembourgFrom Cantabrian anchovies and Galician octopus to Iberian ham and Rubia Gallegan beef – share some tapas at these Spanish eateries Table Talk‘Odum’ is a flavourful new arrival in Luxembourg City’s dining sceneWith East and West African dishes as well as a fusion menu, Odum serves well-seasoned dishes and delectable desserts One of the examined shops has had to close for the time being due to a lack of hygiene and in five cases a total of 300kg of meat had to be disposed of by The Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration (ALVA) Several shops were encouraged to adhere more strictly to food regulation Whether they take the advice seriously will only become clear during future check-ups Customs and the Inspectorate of Labour and Mines (ITM) seized 50kg of hookah tobacco ITM has launched two investigations – one into suspected illicit work and another into illegal workforce recruitment two penalties were issued for missing price tags and one individual was referred to the police A woman reported her partner to the police after he threatened to murder her After a police patrol paid a visit to the couple's home in Esch-sur-Alzette the man was arrested on the order of the examining magistrate The police conducted a search of the house A piece of facade fell from a building in central Esch-sur-Alzette last week prompting promises of swift action from local authorities who remain cautious as safety checks continue The incident occurred on Rue de l’Alzette on Friday afternoon when a roughly 30-centimetre stone block detached from the building and crashed to the ground Esch-sur-Alzette Mayor Christian Weis told RTL that the municipality is taking the matter very seriously the area around the building remains barricaded Work began over the weekend to assess and secure the facade's structural integrity A construction firm is expected to continue the repairs after which the municipality will consider removing the safety barriers officers on patrol encountered two people assisting an injured party shortly after the incident The responding officers immediately administered first aid and called emergency medical services police identified one of the assisting individuals as a potential suspect in the altercation Following consultation with the public prosecutor's office Authorities have opened an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident set in the Ardennes and the Nature Park Our is the lake and riverside region of Esch-sur-Sûre or Esch Sauer from the village of the same name down to Boulaide The village is located at a meander of the river feels largely unchanged since the Middle Ages Esch-sur-Sûre is dominated by the ruins of a castle that date back to 927 set high atop a steep hill The first reference to Esch Sauer is given in the third year of Charlemagne’s reign The site was acquired by Meginaud (aka Maingaud) in a deal with Stavelot Abbey which owned the land and he erected a square residential tower and some buildings for agricultural use The castle was expanded by the last two counts of Esch with territories including 19 hamlets and villages The first buildings of the castle were constructed during the Romanesque and Gothic periods with a defensive system added in the 15th century including the round tower The village was also surrounded by a 450m long and 1.5m high rampart with two defensive towers Unfortunately the castle declined from the mid-16th century although the ramparts were not fully destroyed because private houses were built against them (which you can still see in the lane next to the town hall) and when Victor Hugo visited it in the summer of 1871 there were several families living there but the rest of the castle has remained in ruins You can download the Visit Eislek app which includes an audio guided tour “Mysterious Esch-sur-Sûre” which also takes in the dam located downstream a kilometre from the village In addition to providing historical information it takes in sights including the Loch Chapel There are two lakeside beaches at Insenborn There's a more secluded one which can be accessed near the Forest House just past the Burfelt viewing platform (which gives fantastic views of the surrounding area) named Alain’s beach (although not exclusively for him) just outside Esch village and past the dam where the rivers Sure and Dirbech meet algae has plagued the lake and river water The water management administration has confirmed that checks carried out this year in swimming areas around the lake confirm that it's safe to swim and water quality is at a high level To find check if the water quality is OK for a swim later in the year, you should go to the government's water resource website A former cloth factory is now the home of the tourist information centre and the place to buy regional products and woven items It also houses a small museum (tours can be given in English) originally used to produce cloth for woollen uniforms In fact a weavers’ guild existed in Esch from the 16th century The visitor centre houses temporary exhibitions and is open every day except Wednesday (and daily in July and August) from April to October There’s also a play area for children to get to know the local flora and fauna rock and pop on a stage right next to the reservoir The octagonal chapel of St Pirmin in Heiderscheid is in Neo Gothic style as a reminder of the medieval Christinan era It was built by Dutch architect Ernst van Koenig in the mid-19th century with cracks appearing in the church walls just 20 years after it was built and lateral buttresses were put in to support the building pulpit and statues were made by Luxembourgish sculptor Michael Weiler The wonderful stained-glass windows in the nave were made by Jean-Pierre Koppes from Altwies and were created in 1914 The right side depict St Anthony and St Willibrord whilst on the left you can see St Cecilia and St Elisabeth The windows of the choir show St Joseph and the Virgin Mary The remnants of a mural painted in 1919 shows the Coronation of the Virgin Stations of the cross dating back to the 18th century connect Esch-sur-Sûre town to the Chapel of the Cross located high on the hill A magnificent avenue of lime trees leads to the entrance to the cemetery whist the Sanctuary of the Holy Cross was rebuilt in 1767 this time Christ on the cross flanked by two thieves In Insenborn you’ll find the St Roch Church The statue of the saint inside was made by sculptor Jean-Georges Scholtus from Bastogne and pre-dates the church The building was extensively modernised to make it more welcoming and stained-glass windows by Uli Lindow representing the Holy Trinity The stars in one window represent the seven archangels gathered around the throne of God The 37km national hiking trail “Circuit du Lac” gives you the chance to see the lake from several viewpoints and to stop in some of the pretty villages in the area taking about 4 hours starts at Boulaide’s Pont-Misère and leads through its nature reserve The path focuses on the changes humans have made to the landscape with 21 stations providing interesting local facts You can get a guide to the walk at the starting point A shorter 5.5km walk from Baschleiden leads through a meadow The tree root trail leads across the plateau with beautiful views of the reservoir and surrounding region The route goes down to the reservoir and then to Liefrange before heading back to Kaundorf You can follow the tree root symbol for this 8km easy route (taking about 2 hours) bring a swimming costume as it passes the swimming bridge between Lultzhausen and Insenborn An Esch-Sauer circular route leads over fields into the valleys of Grondmillebaach and Dirbech and passes by several stations over a 7km trail Families might like to try the 4.5km water fairy trail and leaves Esch for the Grondmillebaach valley returning to the start point via Pëtzbech The stations en route are designed to help you use your five senses It starts near the Dorfmitte bus stop in town The 5.5km court jester trail starts near the small bridge in Esch village and takes the old stairs to the castle complex where the path leads into the forest you are treated to beautiful views of the reservoir after which you can take stairs to a narrow path that leads into the valley and back to town Expect to take about 2 hours to complete this trail The sculpture trail at Lultzhausen showcases the work of six international sculptors who sculpted stones around the reservoir The results line the path that leads through the slope above Lultzhausen to a view of the reservoir A short 2.8km discovery trail Waassersenneswee traverses the brook between Lultzhausen and Esch with a focus on the element of water highlighted in themed stations along the route It starts on the CR314 between the two towns The Heichseelgaart in Heiderscheid has a giant swing tyre swings and a children’s assault course plus a climbing wall A mountain bike trail starts in Bavigne and travels a 35km circular route via Boulaide offering astounding views over the Upper Sûre Lake which was a former priest’s garden with terraces affording panoramic views over the Ardennes The MTB trail climbs a non-tarmac lane which is passable in all weather conditions then crosses the forest before taking the road leading to Baschleiden before continuing in the forests that surround the lake The final stretch passes through the wetlands near Tockemillen to the Fatima chapel in Harlange before returning to the start A more strenuous 36km trail starts at the town hall in Goesdorf. It takes in the 2.5km geological path Op der Spur vum Antimon which has information panels about the region's geology and mining. Again, expect wonderful views of the valley and a few stiff climbs. The Gourmet & Relax Hotel De La Sure, is both a hotel and restaurant. If you stay overnight, you can partake of the hotel’s sauna, hamman, hot tub, and gym plus it’s also an eco-hotel. Luxury rooms have a steam cabin and hydromassage shower. The restaurant, which also has a wind-sheltered terrace, serves French cuisine using locally-sourced Luxembourgish ingredients. Hotel le Postillon, just in front of the castle has double and triple rooms, whilst Camping Bissen on the banks of the river at Esch has chalets and riverside cabins. Camping Berkel in nearby Bockholtz has safari tents, and there is a Youth Hostel at Lultzhausen. You’ll find another campsite in Liefrange, and several others dotted around the area (where you will need to take your own tent, camper van or caravan). Discover Luxembourg Cards, butterflies, wine and Wil Lofy - an afternoon in GrevenmacherWatch butterflies leave their cocoons, learn about the revolutionary printing press, visit a wine cellar, or just stroll along the Moselle Architectural iconsDiscover the Art Deco windows of EschArt Deco and Art Nouveau rub shoulders in Esch-sur-Alzette, adorning city centre windows with roses, steelworkers and the Roman god Mercury. Take a walk to discover these treasures Tour Luxembourg Take your visitors on these trips outside Luxembourg’s capitalDon’t have a car? Don’t worry, you can take visitors to see many places in Luxembourg by train with these itineraries Discover LuxembourgAn afternoon out in Mondorf-les-BainsHead to this spa town for its aviation museum, some golf, boating, or a sculpture trail in the Domaine Thermal's gardens Easter traditionsMake some noise for Klibberen and Émaischen The church bells leave and the rattles return for the four days of Klibberen, whilst Easter Monday sees the bird whistle Péckvillchen market Leisure time Explore these enchanting castles in LuxembourgDon’t know what to do? Why not visit one of the Grand Duchy’s fairytale castles and step back in time SpringtimeEnjoy some family fun at these themed playgrounds in Luxembourg Fancy a family afternoon at the playground? Here's our selection of the best ones in the city and beyond, plus how to find your nearest slide and swings Inside LuxVisit Vianden – castle ramparts, a chairlift and museums on Hugo and DicksA once-thriving medieval artisan town, with a castle, charming cobbled streets, try the many walks and places to dine out the Luxembourg City Court opened the trial for a knife attack that occurred in January 2023 on a football field in Esch-sur-Alzette The case centres on the events of 20 January 2023 when a fatal altercation took place during a training session of the Jeunesse Esch football club who was seriously injured during the incident The main defendant is a youth coach accused of manslaughter The proceedings aim to clarify the sequence of events and determine the extent of each defendant's responsibility the victim was allegedly attacked with his own knife after being immobilised The altercation occurred shortly after 5pm on 20 January 2023 during a training session of the Jeunesse Esch U13 team entered the pitch and attempted to play football as the training session was still going on According to statements made by the youth coach during the investigation the man appeared to behave oddly and smelled slightly of alcohol the man left but returned approximately 30 minutes later Investigations revealed that the knives were part of a set purchased by the man that same evening A subsequent search of his residence uncovered Xanax and other pharmaceuticals used to treat sleep disorders was living at a Caritas shelter in Esch-sur-Alzette at the time of the incident who arrived in Luxembourg as a refugee in 2021 lived in four different homes across the country during his time in the Grand Duchy his stay was marked by repeated disciplinary issues including multiple accusations of sexual harassment he allegedly threatened a woman on a bus with a cleaver He was also involved in several altercations on public transport involving minors the situation escalated after the initial argument on the football pitch Several individuals managed to disarm the 25-year-old man The victim was then struck in the head with a rock at least three times Witnesses and the coroner's report confirmed that the youth coach stabbed the victim three times in the buttocks and right thigh The stab wound to the thigh severed the femoral artery Despite 15 minutes of resuscitation efforts on-site the victim succumbed to his injuries several hours later at Esch Hospital due to organ failure the youth coach allegedly shouted that he was not afraid of the man and threatened to kill him for attacking his children with knives the main defendant has denied these allegations Also present during the incident was the youth coach's 16-year-old half-brother The main defendant has a prior history with law enforcement Belgian police were called to the home of his girlfriend after he reportedly threatened her with a knife and a rod a father of one of the players is also standing trial He is accused of causing bodily harm after allegedly throwing a brick at the victim's chest during the altercation according to the criminal police investigation the same defendant also repeatedly attempted to calm the youth coach who was described as being consumed by rage at the time of the attack The court's primary task is to reconstruct the exact sequence of events and determine the criminal responsibility of both defendants The youth coach faces charges of causing bodily harm that led to death is charged with intentionally causing bodily harm The trial is scheduled to last three days and will conclude on Thursday Deadly incident at football pitch: 22-year-old coach remains in custody as investigation continues Esch: Man dies in stabbing incident at football ground on Friday You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed The trial regarding a fatal knife attack that took place during a football training session in Esch-sur-Alzette in January 2023 continued on Thursday The presiding judge grew visibly impatient with the main defendant "It seems you have still not grasped the seriousness of the situation." Despite repeated questioning the youth coach could not provide a clear explanation as to why he grabbed the knife and stabbed the victim three times despite the fact that the man was lying immobilised on his stomach The defendant attempted to justify his actions I see it as a reaction to what I've experienced." Throughout his testimony the defendant's lawyer addressed the court describing his client as "nervous" and enquiring whether he would be given the final word at the trial's conclusion presented a more restrained account during his testimony He described the events from his perspective arrived on the football pitch carrying two knives and began "stabbing the air." According to the defendant He claimed that the victim then focused solely on the at the time 22-year-old coach The defendant then went on to describe how he and the coach's half-brother attempted to resolve the situation motivated by "fear for the children," as the defendant emphasised noting they were unsure where all the children had gone The defendant stated that the attacker tripped while exiting the pitch and discarded his two knives shortly afterward the defendant claimed he discarded of the 3-4 kg brick he was carrying The defendant admitted to restraining the victim and punching him two to three times He also stated that the coach and his half-brother punched and kicked the victim in the head and body with the coach allegedly striking the victim's head with a 500g rock the coach reportedly said he used the rock because he no longer had strength in his hands The defendant claimed that while the two brothers continued to assault the victim that's enough." He stated that he lay over the victim's body to protect him which resulted in him being kicked by the coach's at the time 16-year-old half-brother he said he felt the victim being stabbed three times and shouted again for the violence to end the coach and his half-brother then hugged each other before leaving the scene He added that he stayed with the victim until the ambulance arrived The youth coach denied that the hug took place and that's the problem," said the lawyer representing the victim's family despite discussions of remorse and an apology on the night of the incident He reiterated to the judge that once the victim was on the ground ruling out any justification for legitimate defence or provocation The prosecution is seeking an 18-year prison sentence for the former coach with at least part of the term to be served in custody who threw a brick at the victim and later punched him while he was on the ground with the possibility of a suspended verdict The trial is set to continue on Friday morning with the defence's arguments 2023 incident: Trial begins for fatal knife attack at Esch-sur-Alzette football field Manslaughter trial: Witnesses struggle to recall details of fatal football field altercation In the heart of the campus of the University of Luxembourg, surrounded by the modern buildings of the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, stand two tall blast furnaces. These holdovers from the region’s industrial past recall a time when Luxembourg was one of Europe's principal sources of iron ore Luxembourg was once the seventh-largest iron producer in the world It was one of the six founding members of the European Coal and Steel Community which laid the early foundations for the European Union the forest surrounding the small town of Esh-sur-Alzette was cut down to build Belval’s ironworks which was home to three massive blast furnaces. In 1993 the country's last active blast furnace was shut down for good As the steel industry in Luxembourg declined the economy diversified into production of construction materials The furnaces of Belval were integrated into the main campus of the University of Luxembourg who can follow the self-guided tour to learn more about their functioning and the history of the iron industry in the region it is possible to climb up to a 40-meter (131-foot) platform on the furnace “A” and discover an impressive panorama on the region The furnaces are also open several nights a year during which visitors are able to roam the furnaces with hard helmets and frontal lamps The furnaces are open to visitors between April and October The Belval-University train station is very close to the furnaces and has regular trains from and to Luxembourg City and advancing the art and craft of fine metalwork Preserved 19th-century lime kilns sit in southern Sweden this South Dakota mine was the largest and deepest gold mine in Western Hemisphere The original building of a mining school endowed by one of the barons of the Comstock Lode now houses a museum of earth science and mining history Once owned by the largest employer in Colorado these ovens have been abandoned for over a century A place to appreciate the sweat and ingenuity it used to take to make a pot A monument commemorating the antimony mine that once operated in this Melbourne suburb The remains of a massive blast furnace in what was once one of the country's largest iron-producing regions the emergency helicopter was despatched to respond to a medical emergency in Esch-sur-Alzette the helicopter was unable to land at the scene and instead touched down in front of the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS) barracks in Esch-sur-Alzette The medical emergency was addressed promptly and the helicopter departed without delay after providing the necessary assistance A spokesperson for the CGDIS explained that in such cases it is critical for the doctor to reach the location as quickly as possible Despite the nearby presence of Esch hospital Luxembourg's emergency services operate five Emergency Medical Assistance Teams (SAMU) across the country Of 36 new houses built in the Nonnewisen district only 6 of them have sold so far - all of this amidst a housing shortage in Luxembourg the local déi Lénk branch took to the streets to denounce the 'ineffective housing policy of the CSV-DP-Greens coalition The party also accused the municipal government of not understanding the needs of its residents in a press release Déi Lénk instead propose that these properties be rented out rather than sold and are campaigning for an adjustment in the price of affordable housing déi Lénk demands that the law on taxing empty homes must be applied without delay but unfortunately we lack the necessary courage and political will,’ the party concludes a large-scale police operation took place at Lycée Guillaume Kroll in Esch-sur-Alzette following an incident involving two students – a 12-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy who initiated an argument over a mobile phone The Ministry of Education confirmed the incident in a statement to our colleagues from RTL.lu revealing that shots were fired from an air gun during the altercation and the Ministry of Education clarified that the incident occurred off school premises Investigators from the Youth Protection Department of the Judicial Police seized the soft air gun at the scene The Luxembourg public prosecutor's office has been notified and the young individuals involved are now under investigation with their parents also engaged in the process The incident was first reported by the newspaper Tageblatt Luxembourg’s second city reveals its metamorphosis from a decaying manufacturing center to a European cultural capital By: Mairi Beautyman also named European Capital of Cultures this year the title comes with $54.8 million in funds from EU “This initiative marks a transformation from an industrial society to a society of knowledge.” 130 cultural projects are now either underway or recently completed in post-industrial areas in and around Esch The Esch2022 program—spanning 170 square miles—also comprises the acquisition and refurbishment of existing historical buildings The initiative aims to encourage “a transformation from an industrial society to a society of knowledge,” explains Nancy Braun director general of Esch2022. Esch learned of its designation in 2017 and the Esch2022 project (and its promise to bring life art and events to the Belval district) contributed to the state investing in numerous new built projects Esch’s largest reuse development is Belval a residential and business district two miles west of the Esch city center that sprawls across acres of former brownfields and successfully integrates two gigantic (300-foot-tall) decommissioned blast furnaces Considered state-of-the-art when unveiled in 1979 until one was sold and shipped off to China) were decommissioned in 1993 reigning benevolently over several new restaurants they’re surprisingly majestic in their poignant acknowledgement of industrial days gone by perhaps because they’re softened by elegant light features and reflecting pools by landscape architect Michel Desvigne For those willing to climb 180 steps straight up a tour concludes with sweeping views of the distinctive urban landscape and nearby farmland.  with more than 1,000 workstations meeting diverse research or studying requirements taking place as part of the 2022 Villerupt Italian Film Festival; an acrobatic dance project; open-air film screenings; and monthly “Repair cafes,” with experts on-hand to fix broken domestic tools such as vacuums.  will address the themes of overexposure and judgment in social media After a renovation and expansion that includes a new annex by Luxembourg architect Jim Clemes housing temporary and permanent exhibition space and administration offices, the National Museum of Resistance and Human Rights the new facility is almost triple its previous size One notable element of Esch’s industrial past is visible only on Google Maps A river appears to flow directly through the city center on the app – yet you won’t find it actually runs below the city in an underground canal before reemerging at its outskirts “It was paved over because it smelled,” a tour guide reveals.   For a full listing of Esch 2022 events, click here.  Would you like to comment on this article? Send your thoughts to: [email protected] The Herta Mohr building showcases how resourceful reuse can transform a legacy structure into a sustainability paradigm and Wilsonart offer some of the most transparent surfacing products on the market Heartland Whole Health Institute weaves together nature and architecture to reimagine how we care for the body and mind Subscribe to our mailing list to receive the latest updates subscription deals delivered straight to your inbox It has since become the go-to place for Jewish worshippers and those who want to learn about Judaism in English. “It’s a community centre with a religious core and a lot of people come not because they are very religious but because they want to take part in the activities we offer,” said Rabbi Alexander Grodensky, who has been leading the Liberal Jewish Community of Luxembourg for nearly 10 years. The community also has a synagogue in Luxembourg City – which was built around the same time as the Esch building – and is mainly French speaking with a more traditional approach. Esch-sur-Alzette’s synagogue has an international flair, with members from across the world including several European countries, the US, South Africa, Australia and Latin America, and the common language is English. Rabbi Grodensky holds Sunday school for children where they learn about Jewish culture and learn some Hebrew. He also runs adult courses, including discussing a particular text or book which has a link to Judaism, talking about a historical topic, or invites a guest speaker. Forty-one-year-old Rabbi Grodensky grew up in northern Russia and studied public administration and political science in Saint Petersburg and Vienna before moving to Berlin to train as a rabbi. “I had a feeling that I had been running away from my desire to become a rabbi,” he said. “It was natural for me to be within a Jewish community and have a leadership role and at one point I realised it is what I wanted to do.” In 2015 he moved to Luxembourg for his first job as a rabbi. In response, Israel launched a major offensive in Gaza which has led to the deaths of more than 43,000, the majority of them civilians, according to data from the Hamas-run Ministry of Health, while over 3,000 people have been killed in Lebanon in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, figures from the Lebanese Health Ministry show. “We experienced more signs of anti-semitism, especially on social media in October last year,” Grodensky said. “It felt more present. Sometimes there are uncomfortable situations especially for some kids in school. It is sometimes very difficult for people to understand that we are not responsible for what is going on over there.” Saturday 9 November marks 225 years since a Jewish person returned to live in Luxembourg after they were expelled in 1530. The date also marks 86 years since the Reichspogromnacht – a two-day violent attack against Jews in Nazi Germany and Austria which killed at least a thousand people. Emergency services and the mayor Christian Weis reported one critical injury Petange and Differdange are currently at the scene a neighbour was woken up by a beeping sound When she wanted to see where it was coming from she saw that there was a fire in the house "I saw from my window that my neighbour's house was on fire and that the lady was standing on the terrace Of course I immediately called the fire brigade and ambulance," she said There was a concern that the fire could jump to other surrounding buildings "Now the experts will see what the cause of the fire is but it may take a while until someone knows In a separate incident in the earl hours of Wednesday morning two people were injured due to an electrical installation failure in their house in Kleinbettingen Another person was injured on Tuesday evening at around 5.45pm on Boulevard de Kockelscheuer On Monday, the online news site Reporter.lu published an investigation into the budget management of the non-profit "FrEsch," which oversees much of Esch's cultural management and events. The report highlighted opaque and questionable accounting practices within the organisation. Pim Knaff, a member of the Esch municipal executive board (Schäfferot) who was recently convicted of aggravated tax fraud Mayor Weis acknowledged his role as a mediator between the municipal council and FrEsch He emphasised the need for clear communication and insisted that all councillors receive financial documents from the non-profit Weis stated that FrEsch must review its governance and statutes to be provided to the municipal council by the start of autumn Regarding the planned sports museum and sports arena in Esch-Lankelz, Mayor Weis confirmed that the project will not proceed The municipality is now seeking alternatives in collaboration with local sports clubs to address the community's actual needs Weis noted that Esch already has a sports hall in need of renovation which could present an opportunity to address both issues simultaneously Weis suggested that the national project for the sports arena and sports museum While the municipality would still support the establishment of a museum it would not be a municipal project and could be located elsewhere Mayor Weis assured that all housing plans for Lankelz will continue as planned He stressed that the city is preparing for significant growth Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here Ellergronn Nature Reserve is just one of the many fascinating experiences for families with children in and around Esch-sur-Alzette and we'd love to hear about yours in the comments This small yet charming animal park is a family favourite. Visitors can see and feed the animals with free food available at the bistro near the park entrance. Recently, the park has been enhanced with the Escher Baumhauscafé a fairy tale-like café featuring wooden structures The Ellergronn Nature Centre offers historical insights into Luxembourg’s mining past along with various nature activities led by expert guides Esch-sur-Alzette boasts numerous playgrounds Two popular ones are in Parc Laval and near the animal park The inclusive playground "Prenz Charel" at 1 Rue Dellheicht Discover Luxembourg’s industrial heritage by visiting the old Blast Furnace and explore a shopping mall with an indoor playground on the first floor called Hello Kids by Kouki More Information:Fonds-Belval  The Escher Schwemm swimming pool offers swimming classes Note that it will be closed for renovations from September 2 to 22 Luxembourg's first board game café, Bei de Minettsdäpp is known for its board games and exciting events such as karaoke nights It can also be rented for birthday parties and team-building events National Museum of the Resistance and Human Rights: Open every day except Mondays Luxembourg Science Center: Features interactive stations and hands-on experiments Location: 1, rue John Ernest Dolibois, L-4573 Differdange National Mining Museum in Rumelange: Showcases the work of miners and their tools Location: Rue de la Bruyère L-3714 Rumelange Parc Merveilleux: Features a fairy tale forest It's a favorite among families and is also available for birthday parties Minett Park: An industrial rail and natural park with historic trains operating between May and September Explore the numerous hiking trails in the Red Rock Region. Discover more about what the area has to offer through these websites: Red Rock | Minett Tour These are just a few activities that can make your family trip to Esch-sur-Alzette enjoyable and memorable Let us know your favourite spots in the comments Related:To the north! Family-friendly activities in and around WiltzWhat do to with kids in and around Echternach The municipality of Esch-sur-Alzette has decided not to appeal a recent administrative court ruling regarding self-contained flats The court had overturned a municipal ban that prohibited the installation of such flats in approximately 4,000 single-family homes in the city centre Esch-sur-Alzette has chosen to accept the ruling rather than pursue further legal action Municipal officials have noted that there has been minimal demand for additional self-contained flats in these properties in recent years They also indicated that the ban was not crucial for preserving the character of these single-family homes You currently use an outdated internet browser. You can upgrade to a modern browser or use the Google Chrome Frame to optimize your viewing experience Smart parking refers to the digitalization of parking management systems which allows for convenient and ticketless parking for customers The Hôtel de Ville car park in the city of Esch-sur-Alzette underwent this conversion with the help of Scheidt & Bachmann an experienced and competent partner in offering digital parking solutions customers can now enter and exit the parking garage without needing a physical ticket Cameras located in the entrance lanes record license plate numbers the hybrid system can also switch to conventional ticketing customers can enter their license plate number into the pay machines or use the City App of the city of Esch-sur-Alzette The Checkout API links the parking management system to the City App eliminating the need for customers to visit pay machines The entervo smart validation function adds further convenience providing participating retailers with the ability to offer customer discounts for parking time when making a purchase making the parking garage more attractive to potential visitors The Hôtel de Ville car park's digitalization is an important milestone for the widespread adoption of smart parking in Esch-sur-Alzette another multi-level parking garage will soon be converted to this new digital parking management system The success of this project would not have been possible without the support of Serge Beck and the city officials of Esch-sur-Alzette modular general solutions consisting of up-to-date JAVA software and innovative equipment police in Esch-sur-Alzette attempted to check a suspect near the Esch railway station passing drugs to an accomplice during their escape eventually apprehending them on Rue de Luxembourg The arrested individual was taken to the local police station where it was confirmed that they had indeed transferred the drugs to their accomplice A search of the second suspect uncovered several white pellets The public prosecutor's office was notified leading to the arrest of the first suspect They appeared before an examining magistrate on Tuesday morning the CFL hopes to install benches and tactile paving on the platforms for increased accessibility rails services between Esch-sur-Alzette - one of Luxembourg's main transport hubs - and Audun-le-Tiche in France will be suspended temporarily A replacement bus service will therefore run from September 21 to October 27 Busses will run every half hour in both directions extending travel times by approximately ten minutes The CFL also announced additional works for the station's underground areas in the future Luxembourg did not have a university of its own the government decided to build a campus in Esch-sur-Alzette Known as the ‘Cité des sciences,’ the new premises are located in a 27-hectare site once occupied by steel mills Two blast furnaces and the ruins of a third one are clear reminders of the role that Luxembourg played in the conflict between the heavy industries of Germany and France so the place is a bearer of the nation’s historical identity in accordance with the proportions of the industrial remains The ‘Maison du Savoir’ (House of Knowledge) designed by Baumschlager Eberle Architekten in collaboration with the local firm Christian Bauer & Associés serves as a starting point and nerve center of the new university grounds composed of a huge horizontal suspended at the base of a vertical mast delimits two spacious covered voids that connect different pedestrian routes and act as public foyers The building thus manages to integrate itself into the urban fabric through the permeability of the ground floor but does so without relinquishing a solitary position that keeps it recognizable from afar The facade – a continuous double skin – also helps in creating a distinctive image that emphasizes the purity of the geometry The inner layer marks the climatic limit of the different spaces Sunlight incidence on this metal grid produces a moiré effect that enriches viewers’ dynamic perception of the complex Two large prestressed trusses embedded in the longitudinal facades of the horizontal volumes are the constructional feats that give rise to a continuous diaphanous space A neutral frame is thus generated that allows introducing flexible space configurations to accommodate the different uses the program includes administrative offices All this is complemented by small foyers and rest areas that give variety to the routes and create opportunities for informal gatherings the natural light entering through the vertical surfaces are complemented by overhead skylights junto con?in cooperation with Christian Bauer & Associés Architectes Christian Bauer & Associés Architectes; Marco Franzmann (arquitecto del proyecto project architect) MDP Michel Desvigne Paysagiste (paisajismo landscape architect) Eduard Hueber / archphoto © Baumschlager Eberle Architekten there arent any match using your search terms Only two days after Differdange councillor Morgan Engel announced her departure from the Pirate Party Esch-sur-Alzette councillor Tammy Broers has now also jumped ship Broers announced her resignation with immediate effect in a letter to the party leadership on Wednesday Since the start of the public feud between MPs Marc Goergen and Sven Clement the Esch-sur-Alzette municipal councillor had already commented on the conflict sharing that she was herself put under pressure by Goergen to sign a press release which a number of local councillors had signed to back Goergen and protect him Goergen is said to have sent her an intimidating message stating: "You do know that Sven wants to get rid of you right?" Broers also claims that Goergen was annoyed that she was elected to the municipal council in Esch therefore not giving her support from the beginning and even deliberately misinforming her Broers did not share the exact reason for eventually leaving the party nor did she reveal which party she might be joining Watch the remaining Euro 2024 football matches on a big screen in Esch-sur-Alzette and cheer on your favourite team The European football tournament is in full swing The city of Esch-sur-Alzette is organising public viewings of the football matches starting from the round of 16 and all the way up to the final on Sunday 14 July at 21:00 They’ll be broadcast on a giant screen in front of the Museum of Resistance and Human Rights Upcoming matches will take place: Tuesday 2 July (18:00) Wednesday 10 July (21:00) and Sunday 14 July (21:00) Entry is free and drinks/snacks will be sold by local sports clubs police intervened in a residential area of Esch-sur-Alzette following complaints about Halloween decorations in a neighbour's front garden The police press office confirmed the incident stating that officers were called due to a fire as part of the decorations the homeowner had set up a fire inside a cauldron for decorative purposes officers spoke with the homeowner and emphasised the potential safety risks The fire was subsequently extinguished to eliminate any danger our colleagues from RTL.lu contacted Patricia Toussaint Toussaint explained that decorating for Halloween and Christmas has been a long-standing tradition for her Toussaint shared that her passion for home decorations began at the age of 17 after visiting relatives in the United States She mentioned that the skeletons are the "gruesome" highlight of her Halloween display but emphasised that her aim is "to make people happy." Toussaint acknowledged the officers' "fairness" and the validity of their safety concerns the police press office clarified that local municipal regulations generally dictate what is permissible for home decorations They highlighted guidelines concerning nighttime noise and light pollution as common examples The municipal authorities of Esch-sur-Alzette added that such matters ultimately come down to "common sense" and mutual respect among neighbours A significant vegetation fire erupted Thursday afternoon on the Barbourg plateau along the French-Luxembourg border near Esch-sur-Alzette According to preliminary information obtained by RTL the blaze began around 2pm and was successfully brought under control later that afternoon Firefighters faced challenging conditions as wind and dry vegetation accelerated the flames' spread across approximately 50 ares There are currently no indications that arson was involved The affected area included a storage site belonging to a Luxembourg steel facility The Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS) deployed substantial resources to contain the incident with multiple witnesses noting an extensive emergency presence at the scene The police are particularly looking for the driver whose car the child ran past before being hit by a car on the opposite lane People who witnessed any part of the incident should alert the police directory in Esch either by calling them via +352 244501000 or sending an email to police.esch@police.etat.lu On Friday morning, the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps had also filed a report of the accident The Roads and Bridges Administration announced that roadworks would begin on the A13 towards Esch at 7.30pm on Friday 13 September lasting until around 5am on Monday 16 September A number of closures and deviations will be put in place Traffic on the A13 will be reduced to one lane in each direction between the Mondorf interchange and the Mondorf tunnel with a reduced speed limit of 70 km/h.There will be closures at the Mondorf interchange access and exit towards Esch-sur-Alzette Vehicles travelling from the N16 towards the A13 to Esch will be redirected from the Mondorf interchange via the N16 Traffic coming from the A13 towards Esch-sur-Alzette and towards Mondorf will be diverted from the Mondorf interchange via the A13 in the direction of Esch-sur-Alzette the A13 in the direction of Schengen and the Mondorf interchange Disruption can be expected from Friday afternoon onwards due to preparations for the weekend roadworks Further details are available on https://www.cita.lu/fr/chantiers.html.